It was a strange Christmas, this year, with lots of changes. Finding new places in this house to put old, cherished decorations. Different landscaping to work with outside, for Husband's light display. He even broke his tradition of turning the lights on before December 1st. The good weather seemed to prompt everyone to put up their lights in mid-November, not knowing what December would bring.
Long-time readers might remember a past post about our attempts at growing Christmas trees at our old place. Husband was getting to the point of no longer wanting to go chop down a tree in another county (there are no tree farms near us), tie it to the car, and drive slowly for almost an hour. Well, it didn't matter that we moved, as the trees were all munched on by the deer, and turned out to be Charlie Brown rejects. I think the move was an incentive for him to finally get a fake tree (or as he used to say, back in the day, 'a toilet brush tree'). He bought a cheap one at Lowe's on Black Friday and put it together in about 30 seconds. I think the kids were in such shock that we weren't making our annual pilgrimmage, he felt a little guilty. So, he ordered another tree online. A little nicer (I think it's called a spruce, but I honestly can't tell much of a difference). It was nice to have two trees to decorate, since we have so many ornaments. We decided to have one be a Santa Claus theme:
The other tree went in the corner of the family room and held all other ornaments. Our kids always got to choose one ornament a year, either around Christmas, or on a family vacation. Along with ornaments made at school, and ones Husband and I chose each year, we have a wide assortment:
With Eldest working the night shift, and having to work the nights of Dec. 22, 23, 24, we had to juggle the traditional schedule so that she wouldn't miss out on the festivities. We usually go to my parents for Christmas Eve. Instead, we stayed here and I fixed a dinner of angel chicken and pasta, spinach salad with fruit and nuts, and candied carrots. Husband's 91 year old aunt spent the day with us and went to church with us that night. Eldest got home at 8:30 am on Christmas Day, went straight to bed, and got up a few hours later so that we could open gifts.
Snowstorm Euclid (since when do we name snowstorms?) changed our plans to visit my parents yesterday. We drove down at 9 am, but had to turn around and leave after only an hour. I'm sad that we didn't get to spend the day with them. It's been difficult to arrange any plans with Eldest and Husband's work schedules. I know it's only going to get harder, the older the kids get.
For the first time, I didn't send out any Christmas cards. I've always done a photo card of the kids, but just wasn't able to get the three of them together for a photo. Maybe next year. I feel like most people can see photos of my kids on facebook anyway. I'm getting lazy.
Tonight we are hosting the cousin Christmas party. Or more aptly, 'the offspring of siblings we actually speak to party.' Onward and upward!
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year! See you in 2013.
Long-time readers might remember a past post about our attempts at growing Christmas trees at our old place. Husband was getting to the point of no longer wanting to go chop down a tree in another county (there are no tree farms near us), tie it to the car, and drive slowly for almost an hour. Well, it didn't matter that we moved, as the trees were all munched on by the deer, and turned out to be Charlie Brown rejects. I think the move was an incentive for him to finally get a fake tree (or as he used to say, back in the day, 'a toilet brush tree'). He bought a cheap one at Lowe's on Black Friday and put it together in about 30 seconds. I think the kids were in such shock that we weren't making our annual pilgrimmage, he felt a little guilty. So, he ordered another tree online. A little nicer (I think it's called a spruce, but I honestly can't tell much of a difference). It was nice to have two trees to decorate, since we have so many ornaments. We decided to have one be a Santa Claus theme:
It looked a little bare, as we didn't have THAT many Santa ornaments, so it became a Santa/Snowman/Slowflake tree.
The other tree went in the corner of the family room and held all other ornaments. Our kids always got to choose one ornament a year, either around Christmas, or on a family vacation. Along with ornaments made at school, and ones Husband and I chose each year, we have a wide assortment:
Mish Mash Tree
Snowstorm Euclid (since when do we name snowstorms?) changed our plans to visit my parents yesterday. We drove down at 9 am, but had to turn around and leave after only an hour. I'm sad that we didn't get to spend the day with them. It's been difficult to arrange any plans with Eldest and Husband's work schedules. I know it's only going to get harder, the older the kids get.
For the first time, I didn't send out any Christmas cards. I've always done a photo card of the kids, but just wasn't able to get the three of them together for a photo. Maybe next year. I feel like most people can see photos of my kids on facebook anyway. I'm getting lazy.
Tonight we are hosting the cousin Christmas party. Or more aptly, 'the offspring of siblings we actually speak to party.' Onward and upward!
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year! See you in 2013.
We've covered pretty much the whole waterfront, Christmas-tree-wise. When we were first married, we had a nice little fake tree. Then, when I was reunited with my birth-mother, she sent us a mail-order tree for a couple years (I never even imagined that it was possible to mail-order a Christmas tree). We've gone out to a farm to cut one fresh a couple times, but in recent years, the YMCA has set up to sell trees from a 'semi-vacant' lot two blocks from our house, so we've bought our trees from them (then our sons just carry it home overland, like great hunters returning home with their quarry).
ReplyDeleteI almost brought home a couple of potted Norfolk pines this year, just for fun. . . Friends of ours used to buy a potted tree, then plant it in their yard in the spring, until they ran out of room for any more trees in their yard. . .
Craig - Greetings! I think our days of live trees are over. I do miss the scent of pine in the air, but not the needles!
ReplyDeleteA shame you were forced back by the snowstorm. But it sounds like you had a good Christmas anyway. We've never had anything but a fake tree. Much easier than hunting out a real one, and then sweeping up all the pine needles afterwards.
ReplyDeleteNick - it seems as though the weather ruins a lot of holiday plans, whether it be snow during the holidays or rain on summer holiday barbecues.
ReplyDeleteSounds to me like you had a very Merry and great Christmas!
ReplyDeleteLove BOTH your trees! I think it's so cool that you had TWO trees this year!
I feel like you, this was a strange Christmas season. I don't know whether it was because of the passing of my mother back in November, but it seemed sort of flat. I had a wonderful Christmas day, but the time leading up to it seemed rushed and kind of numb.
I am so looking forward to the New Year!
Have a SUPER time at your party tonight!
Happy New Year, my friend!
X
we went fake last year after years if wrangling. let's leave it at that, huh?
ReplyDeletei do miss the days when we had 2 trees every year. one in the LR for 'everyone' and another upstairs that the daughters could decorate any way they wanted. alas, those days of cuteness are over.
i'm looking forward to next year when our youngest gets to start Christmas traditions for her own family with her soon-to-be shiny new husband.
Those trees came out great! I like the mish mash one with the ornaments through the years; I'm sure lots of memories with them!
ReplyDeleteSorry you couldn't spend more time with your parents; hopefully the weather and time will permit you to have a longer visit soon!
I think it is good to break with traditions especially as circumstances change, kids grow up, passings of family members, etc. Sometimes we get stuck in our routines (traditions) and become almost rigid in them when they can be inconvenient or no longer enjoyed like previous years.
We broke with tradition this year in that instead of exchanging gifts with hubby's brother and his wife, the four of us went out to dinner at a nice restaurant on Christmas Day. We enjoyed the time together and decided to make that our "new tradition."
We went to fake trees in 1996 and I haven't missed live ones (much) since then. So convenient to put up and no needles to vacuum after Christmas :)
Happy New Year!
betty
Hi Bijoux,
ReplyDeleteThat is a nice idea to have a second tree! When I was growing up, we kept ornaments and treated them as heirlooms(I think that my sis kept some).
I do not have the space to put up a tree but I love to display our greeting cards and put out my Nan Nan's plates and put fruit or candles in them.
I am sorry that you could not stay longer to be with your parents. A big fat raincheck there!
With love,
B
I guess my tree counts as a mish mash since there is no theme. I miss going ot cut a tree, but I don't know if I'll have one at all if I decide not to buy a real one. My kids said this Christmas that I have so many houseplants the tree fits in and I should try to keep it watered and going as long as possible.
ReplyDeleteRon - yes, I'm sure your Christmas felt very strange this year. I think of you everyday, knowing how difficult this holiday season is for all those who are missing loved ones. I hope your new year is bright. And yes, we had a very good time last night. One of my nephews is super entertaining. He taught me about snapchat and noshameselfies. He's hilarious!
ReplyDeleteX - a big day coming up in 2013 for your family! Looking forward to hearing all about it.
Betty - yes, it's good to mix things up, and I love the idea of skipping gifts and enjoying each other's company, while dining out.
Barb - I love my special holiday plates too. My son bought me a platter at a Santa Shop when he was little and I cherish that thing, along with some of Grandma's glass dishes.
Agent - it was weird to not have a real tree. I buy a large poinsettia every year and always feel guilty about tossing it on March 1st, but don't want a reminder of winter, either!
sometimes it's good to mix it up a bit. glad you all had a nice holiday.
ReplyDeleteas for snowstorm euclid....uh, yeah...that is kind of weird to name them.
Sounds like even with some changes you had a wonderful holiday. Nice trees! I'm jealous about the light display though. We have one strand of big colored bulbs just along the porch roof. It's really all we could manage outside. Inside, more festive. :)
ReplyDeleteWe bought a couple pre-lit ones this year. Living room one doing okay, bedroom one not so much. Some of the lights are already out. Target is getting a phone call soon.
Happy New Year!
OOooo!!!! The tree in front of that gorgeous window! Beautiful! And what a beautiful view. Love it.
ReplyDeleteI think many people are opting out of the Christmas card thing too. I wondered if I should do it too as the picture I used was already on Facebook. Oh well.
We finally went to artificial trees when we moved into our new house because the trees (we have 2 as well) have to be very specific sizes to fit in the spaces they need to go. They are pretty trees, but I do miss real trees.
Sorry you didn't get to spend more time with your family this Christmas, but it still sounds like a you had a lovely time.
Lime - and it's weird that this was the first time I heard about it and we are already on letter E?
ReplyDeleteChick - the lights not working is super annoying. It seems like we throw out a few sets every year. I think we should go back to the big bulbs, where you can easily replace just one.
Kay - I know, I love that window! We moved into this house in August, so have been thinking about where to put a Christmas tree since then. I thought that window was perfect, even though the room is small.
I love the idea of a Cousin Party! Sadly, I only have 3 cousins. Unless you count second and third cousins in on the party, it would be a little lame attendance, wise!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful Christmas season was enjoyed by your family.
I must have done something right this year because my wife didn't make me haul out the fake tree. Must have been all the whining about half the pre-lit lights not working last year. Best in the new year for all of you. K
ReplyDeleteFlutter- the cousin party was for the kids. I haven't seen my own cousins in years.
ReplyDeleteCool - so, no tree at all? Weren't the kids mad?
Love the pictures of the tree.
ReplyDelete